Hitching-strap.



T. LOTHERINGTON.

HITOHING STRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11, 1012.

Patented May 6, 1913.

THOMAS LO'II-IERINGTON, 0F LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

HITCHING-STRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 6, 191 3.

Application filed January 11, 1912. Serial No. 670,697.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS Lornnnrno- TON, a naturalized citizen of the United States, residing at Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hitching-Straps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to hitching straps and especially has for its object the production of an efficient hitching device which will not necessitate the tying of the horse to some stationary object.

Another object of this invention is the production of an efficient hitching device which, under ordinary circumstances may be so carried by the horse as to be out of the way, and yet may be dropped at a moments notice to such a position as to prevent the horse from running away.

WVith these and other objects in view this invention consists of-certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the hitching device as applied to a horse. Fig. 2 is a semi-diagra1nmatic perspective View of the hitching device detached.

Referring to the drawings by numerals 1 designates the hobble which is adapted to fit around the front leg of the horse and consists of a substantially U-shaped member which is padded so as to prevent any injury to the horse. The hobble 1 is provided with lip portions 2 at its inner end for straddling the connecting rings 3. A holding strap 41 is provided with a pair or hobble engaging members 5 which hobble engaging members are provided with loops 6, which loops engage the rings 3 of the hobble. The inner end of the strap 4 is provided with a buckle 7 which buckle engages the strap 1 as indicated in Fig. 2, thereby forming a loop 8 for engaging the ring 9 carried by the crossbar 10 of the shaft. By means of this strap 4, it will be obvious that the same will prevent the horse from moving his front foot to any great extent, that is to say, when the hobble is in its operative position.

A controlling or supporting strap 11 is provided with a snap-hook 12 which snaphook 12 engages one of the rings 3 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and this strap extends through a ring 13 secured to the trace near the shoulder of the animal and from thence the strap 11 passes through the gig saddle ring 14, and from there to the dashboard 10. The inner end of the strap 11 is secured to the ring 15 by means of a snap book 16. A hook 17 is also carried by the dash-board 10 near one side thereof, and is adapted to be engaged by the loop 18 for supporting the hobble 1 in an inoperative position as will he hereinafter described. An auxiliary loop 19 is secured to the strap 11 and acts as a stop for the loop 18 for preventing the longitudinal movement of said strap 18 upon the strap 11 in one direction. The loop ll) is securely held against movement upon the strap 11 by means of the rivets 20.

A supporting cleat 91 is carried intermediate the ends of the strap 11 and consists of a pair of sections 22 being connected together by means of rivets These sec tions are firmly clamped upon the strap 11 so as to prevent the longitudinal movement of the supporting cleat 21 upon the strap 11. This cleat 21 is adapted to rest upon the eye 13 and prevent the hobble 1 from slipping'otf the animals foot after the same has been dropped to the desired position.

YVhen the device is in an inoperative position, and while the animal is traveling, the hobble 1 is placed upon the animals front leg, near its shoulder,,in the position as shown in dotted lines and the loop 18 is placed over the hook 17, thereby keeping the hobble out of the way and preventing the same from interfering with the travel of the animal. If it is desired to hitch the animal while leaving the vehicle, or prevent the animal from running away, the loop 18 is released from the hook 17, thereby causing the hobble 1 to readily drop to the ankle of the horses fore-leg, and as this occurs, it will be obvious that the animal will be prevented from walking or running away in view of the fact, that his foreleg will be tied through the medium of the strap 41, since this strap is fixedly secured to the eye 9 of the cross-bar of the shaft.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that a very simple and ellicient horse hitching device has been produced which is simple in construction, etlicient in operation, and consists of a comparatively small number of parts. It will further be obvious that a very simple and eflicient device has been instantly Without dismounting from the car riage or vehicle, merely by releasing the loop 18 from the hook 17 and causing the hobble- 1 to drop to its operative position. It will be further obvious that in vieW of the fact that the hobble is supported upon-the horse near its shoulder that the same Will not be inconvenient for the horse While traveling.

What is claimed is A hitching strap comprising a U-shaped padded hobble to engage the animals limb,

1 terminal loops on said hobble, a holding strap attached to the shafts and engaged by said loops, a supporting strap having a snap 15 hook, rings on said bobble one of Which is engaged by said snap hook, a trace ring near the animals shoulder through Which said strap passes, said strap also passing through the 1 saddle ring, its end engaging a ring 20 on the dash board and the loop on said strap adapted to engage ahook on the dash board. In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

. THOMAS LOTHERINGTON.

lVitnesses:

OTTO VVEIsE, HAYES BALLARD.

Gopies'of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

